Hartley sent out his fourth line, which included enforcer Kevin Westgarth at centre instead of his regular position on the right wing, to start the game Saturday. Tortorella responded by starting defenceman Kevin Bieksa at centre as well as tough guy Tom Sestito, who dropped the gloves with Calgary's other enforcer Brian McGrattan.

"What he should have done, have two tough wingers, you're all right," Cherry said. "Then you put a centreman in, there's no problem ... when (Hartley) put Westgarth in there, he was dead. He was going to get fined for sure."

Cherry made no reference to Tortorella trying to get into the Flames locker-room during the first intermission.

In announcing the suspensions on Monday, Colin Campbell, the NHL senior executive vice president of hockey operation said that was one of the key reasons for Tortorella's lengthy suspension.

"Mr. Tortorella's actions in attempting to enter the Calgary Flames locker room after the first period were both dangerous and an embarrassment to the league.'' Campbell said.